Ridgefield Hears Public Comment On Proposed East Ridge Road Historic District

RIDGEFIELD, CT — Town officials on Jan. 7 opened a public hearing on a proposal to create a new local historic district along East Ridge Road, a designation that would extend from Branchville Road south to Prospect Street and include residential and municipal properties.

No votes were taken at the hearing, which was held to gather public comment ahead of a townwide decision on whether to adopt the district by ordinance.

The proposal was presented by Dan O’Brien, chair of the town’s Historic District Commission, who outlined the historical basis for the designation and the multi-step approval process required under state law.

O’Brien said East Ridge Road represents a “microcosm” of Ridgefield’s development history, encompassing late-19th-century estate homes, early-20th-century revival-style residences, and mid-20th-century housing tied to post-World War II growth. He said much of the streetscape has remained intact despite decades of change.

O’Brien emphasized that historic district oversight applies only to exterior features visible from a public way and does not regulate interiors, landscaping, paint colors, or property use. He also said historic districts are intended to manage change, not prevent it, noting that most applications reviewed by the commission are approved following collaboration with property owners.

A significant portion of the discussion focused on municipal buildings within the proposed district, particularly the police department headquarters on East Ridge Road. Several residents expressed concern that historic district status could complicate long-delayed plans to expand or replace police and fire facilities.

In response, O’Brien read a statement adopted by the Historic District Commission indicating it would be open to approving changes to the police building, including potential increases in height or width, provided those changes are architecturally compatible with the building’s historic character and the surrounding neighborhood. He clarified that the statement does not endorse demolition or any specific design and would not bypass the formal application and public hearing process.

Former Police Commission chair Karen Norton questioned the timing of the proposal, arguing that adding another layer of review could hinder efforts to address what she described as unsafe conditions in existing public safety facilities. Norton submitted a written statement for the record reiterating those concerns.

Other speakers supported the designation, citing development pressure near the town center and the role historic districts can play in shaping compatible design. Planning and Zoning Commission Chair Robert Hendrick, speaking as both a resident and commission chair, said historic district review can serve as an additional checkpoint as Ridgefield faces increasing housing demand driven in part by state policy.

Several residents opposed the proposal, calling it overly broad and arguing that municipal buildings and non-historic structures should be excluded. Others said decisions about public buildings should rest with elected officials rather than an appointed commission.

Supporters countered that no specific building plans are currently under review and that fears about restrictions are premature. They pointed to existing historic districts on Main Street and High Ridge Road as examples where varied architecture has been accommodated while preserving overall character.

First Selectman Rudy Marconi, who chaired the hearing, said the proposal will next be considered by town residents at a town meeting scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 21 at Veterans Park Elementary School. Under state law, establishment of the district requires approval by two-thirds of the affected property owners.